The Tony Priday Award

The Award, in memory of Tony Priday, is given for an outstanding contribution to bridge and enhancing the game in all its aspects.

It was presented for the first time in 2015.

2017 winner

David Ewart

David Ewart is well known to many members as a bridge player, but his Tony Priday Award is given in recognition of an impressive contribution away from the table. When David Harris stepped down as Honorary Consul in 2012, David Ewart, a Queen's Counsel specialising in tax matters, volunteered to take over. When the EBU decided to pursue its VAT claim against HMRC it approached not David, because it was felt that it was a lot on top of his regular support, but his wife, Sarah. Sarah is also a tax barrister and was happy to help, but as the case progressed she fell pregnant and had to withdraw. We looked no further than her husband for maternity cover, and since then he has researched, co-ordinated and pursued the case for us at every level, culminating in an appearance before the European Court in Luxembourg early in 2017.

That we now know the claim was unsuccessful does not detract from the amount of work and dedication David has put into it over a period of several years, levying no charge at all for his services, thus saving the members untold thousands of pounds. This was all to get Bridge recognition, and through that recognition not only benefit players, but also to help bring the game to a wider community, with all the health benefits that we know that involves.

The EBU Board was unanimous in deciding that in gratitude for his support to this cause, there is no more suitable recipient for the 2017 Tony Priday Award than David Ewart - QC and all-round decent chap.

2016 winner

Jeff Smith

Presented to Jeff for his contribution of his bridge program which has been available without cost to clubs all over the world, is the basis of EBUScore and also is the basis for all of the EBU scoring programs in its own tournaments over many years.

Jeff was on the EBU Laws & Ethics Committee from 2002-2003, is a qualified County TD and a Premier Grand Master.

2015 winner

Bernard Teltscher

Fittingly the inaugural award was made to a partner of Tony Priday in many international events, Bernard Teltscher. As recently as 2014 they played in the 2014 Teltscher Trophy, with the Great Britain team finishing second, and Tony & Bernard finishing second in the cross-imp scoring.

The Teltscher Trophy is the 'Senior Camrose' event, so named as Bernard 'established’ and funded the Senior Camrose event. He has also been a long time sponsor and supporter of the Lederer Trophy event, ensuring its place as one of the most important events on the bridge calendar.

Bernard is President of the London Metropolitan Bridge Association, and restarted Cambridge BC, in 1946, which had been dormant during the war, acting as its President.

Bernard has been a supporter of many other bridge activities, including supporting university bridge teams, and his generosity is further exemplified by the fact he is the only EBU member to recognise the work of the EBU staff through the giving of a gift at Christmas.